The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1887-10-21
MARGARET COLEMAN.
How This Brave Iri<hwOman Saved Secre-
tary Sewards Life.

tary Stewards Life.
Among Mr.. Summers servants the
one whom he most highly valued was
an elderly Irish woman. Margaret
Coleman She was his houseSeeper
for the last two Years. and now be-
comes Il historic character.
Prior to entering Mr.. Summers serv-
ice Margaret was Of the household of
William H. Seward. When, on the
14tl of April. 1865. the night of the as
sassination of President Lincoln. an at
tempt was made on the life of Mr..
Seward. she WIS one of those in charge
of his room. he then being confined to
his bed from the effects of a fall from
his carriage. PAYNE. the would-be as
sassin. was met by Mr. Frederick Sew
ard at the head of the stairs. After
woundin@ him severely and leaving
him seemingly dead, Payne passed
over his body 10 reach the room of his
father. The noise had notified Mar
garct. who was in her own room on the
story above, of Payne's approach. and
his object. As Payne entered the sick
room, Robinson, the male nurse. then
there. confronted him. Payne struck
Robinson to the ground with his knife.
and then sprang ut the Secretary.
Mr.. Seward was in ha!f-sitting
posture. leaning his back against
Il sick-chair placed in the bed for
his support. Realizing P;,yne's object.
he pulled the bed clothing over his head
for his protection. Payne struck him
Il number of times. One blow WAS so
well aimed that it passed through the
bed clothes, through his cheek into his
neck on the right side, and another on
the left side CT; his neck.
Meantime all this was passing quicker
than it can he told. Margaret had
sprung upon him from behind, and
Robinson had gathered himself up
sufficiently to confront the assassin.
Major A. H. Seward. Miss Fannie
Seward and some of the servants of the
household were now entering the room.
and Payne fought his way out from
among them. Margaret was struck in
he face. apparently by Payne's
clenched fist. So that her face was
painful and discolored for some time,
and she was hurled against the door
iamb with such force as to break her
collar-bonc. Major Seward was slightly
cut IN several places. But none of the
women except Margaret was in any
injured. Payne. after cutting his way
out. mounted his horse and escaped.
Meantime Mr.. Seward had apparently
disappeared. and for moment
it was thought that the as
s&5sin had thrown him out of
the window He had. however. rolled
himself in his bed clothing. and fallen
3ctween the bed and the wall. but was
so suspended b. the clothing that he
had not reached the floor. Margaret
pulled him up, uIroiled him. now
nearly smothercd in the blankets and
the blood. and assisted in doing what
was necessary before size found out
how n.uei, she herself WIS injured. She
recovered, however. sufficiently to con-
tinue 10 act rs head nurse To Secretary
Seward. to Mr.. Frederick Seward and
Mrs. Seward. vino never recovered
from the shock OF that night. and who
died in Margaret arms. and. finally.
a> nurse to Miss Fannie Seward. She
saw her pass away within the year.
When Mr. Fish Succeeded Mr.. Seward
as Secretary of State, he took certain
Of the Seward servants. who agreed tn
stay with him until Mrs. Fish brought
her own establishment to- Washington.
So Margaret remained with the new
Secretary of St.te for six months, and
then went TO Mr.. Sumner. with whom
she remained until his death. The ar
rangemeut was particularly agreeable
to the ladies' whom Mr.. Sumner re-
ceivcd, as most of them had been ac-
custOmed to her friendly ministrstions
when visiting at the Seward and Fish
houses. CosaOpolitd,,.
1t is said that Immediately after
the adoption of the Federal constitu-
ton Alexander Hamilton planted
thirteen trees AT his country place in
honor of the event, and that they are
still standing. The place is now cut
up into building lots, however. and the
venerable landmarks will sooner or
later disappear.